St. Clair County Missouri
Biographies

B

BABB, M. G.
M. G. Babb, carpenter, was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, January 2, 1849, and was the son of James and Mary (Hefling) Babb, natives of Kentucky. M. G. was reared at his birthplace, and was there educated in the common schools. He was engaged in farming until 1866, when he came to Macon County, Missouri, and after following farming one year he worked at carpentering in Grundy County until 1869. Then he came to Roscoe. In November, 1882 he was elected justice of the peace. He is a member of the M. E. Church and belongs to the I.O.G.T. May 6, 1869, Mr. Babb was married to Miss M. Royce. His present wife's maiden name was Martha Dunkle, whom he married May 2, 1876. They have three children, Herbert, Rufus E. and Charles. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BARNETT, HUGH
Among the earliest settlers in Butler Township was Hugh Barnett, born in 1795. He and his wife, Mary Cox Barnett, were natives of Kentucky and settled in St. Clair County in 1838. They were leading citizens for many years and have left the impress of their energy and character upon Butler Township. Mr. Barnett was one of the original representatives when Missouri was admitted to the Union in 1821. The Barnetts were in good circumstances on their arrival, not much wealth but enough to purchase their land without hardship. They were the parents of twelve children: Ellen, John, William, Kisiah, Susan, Jonus, Pleasant, Joseph, Hugh, Mary, Martha and Marcus. -- Lowry City Centennial Book 1871-1971

BARNETT, William
William Barnett, farmer and stock raiser, section 26, was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, May 15, 1828, his parents being Hugh and Mary (Cummins) Barnett, natives of North Carolina. In 1839 they came to St. Clair County, Missouri, and settled on section 23, in Butler Township. William here grew to manhood, receiving the advantages of a common school education. In 1850 he went to California where he followed mining two years, then returning to St. Clair County. He owns 240 acres of good land, well improved. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Fourth Missouri Infantry, was first lieutenant and participated in a number of important battles, among which were Pea Ridge, Port Hudson, and Corinth. At the latter battle he was wounded in the shoulder. In 1872 he was elected one of the judges of the county court and held the office until 1877. February 10, 1853, Mr. Barnett married Miss Elizabeth Ledbetter, a native of Tennessee. They have a family of ten children: Lucy, Ira J., William L., James, Mattie, Cora, Agnes, Bettie, Johnnie and Richard. They have lost one son, Hugh. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BARR, C. J.
Rev. C. J. Barr, minister and farmer, section 34, was born in Simpson County, Kentucky, January 8, 1819, being a son of Silas and Sarah (Headelston) Barr, natives of North Carolina. C. J. grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was educated in Withe College, Tennessee. He was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1845, and then was engaged in preaching and school teaching in that state until 1856, when he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. Here he has since been occupied in the ministry and farming. His farm contains 245 acres, 200 of which are in a high state of cultivation. May 11, 1848, Mr. Barr was married to Miss Martha A. Scobey, of Tennessee. They have two children, Robert F. and Alice J. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BARR, Rev. Caleb Jackson
Reverend Caleb Jackson Barr was born in Kentucky, January 8, 1819. He was ordained a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1845, probably by Lebanon, Tennessee Presbytery. He married Martha Ann Scobey May 14, 1848. They came to Missouri settling on a farm in St. Clair County, Chalk Level Township, in 1856. They lived there nearly forty years until Mr. Barr’s sudden death December 9, 1895. Mrs. Barr died March 28, 1911. They were the parents of six children: Two daughters who died in infancy. One daughter married a Jarvis in northern Texas. One daughter married a Miller near Webb City, Missouri and is buried there. Alice Barr, born 22 September 1861 Chalk Level, married Thomas M. Johnson, Osceola. Robert Franklin Barr was born 1853 and married Lucy Lee Garnett. -- Lowry City Quasi-quicentennial Book 1871-1996

 BARROWS, Freeman
Freeman Barrows grew up in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and with his father and brother John, moved to New Bedford to establish a wholesale grocery business. Freeman decided to go west and arrived at Harmony Mission, Mo. in 1838. He taught a private school for George Douglass, then he became manager of the Douglass-Waldo store in the abandoned Harmony Mission school house. When Bates became a county in 1841, Freeman was elected county clerk and recorder. He became postmaster and later, judge of the Probate Court. Freeman met Asenath Vaill while she was here visiting her sister, Elizabeth Waldo, in Balltown (Little Osage), Mo. They were married in 1842 and lived in a log cabin two miles east of Papinville, where Freeman worked at the county seat. Later he built a fine home that still stands today. About 1858, Freeman’s health had declined, so he gave up his positions. He died in 1861, just prior to the Civil War. At the end of the war, the Barrows family returned to their ravished farm, but the house had survived, one of the very few in the county. They rebuilt the farm but incurred debts. Both brothers died, leaving John to run the farm. Bad weather and the panic of 1892 hit them hard. They lost the farm and moved to Rich Hill. Asenath was a staunch Christian with an indomitable spirit. She raised her children and delighted in telling her grandchildren of the frontier life with the Indians that both her and Freeman had lived. Both Freeman and Asenath are buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Mo. -- Missouri Chigger, August 2005

BAUGH, John R.
John R. Baugh, dealer in drugs and druggists' sundries, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and was born October 23, 1841. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools of the county of his birth, being engaged in farming until October, 1866. He then came to Henry County, Missouri, and embarked in the drug business at Leesville where he remained until 1880, when he removed to Appleton City. In 1882 he again established himself in the drug business, having at that time built his present large brick business house. Mr. Baugh was married March 1, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Campbell, of Ohio. They have two children: Mary F. and Frederick P. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1882 he was one of the councilmen of Appleton City. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BAZZILL, George W.
George W. Bazzill, originally from Delaware County, Indiana, was born August 3, 1837. His father, Ezekiel Bazzill, was born in 1792 in Virginia, and in that state learned his trade of boot and shoe making. After following that occupation some time he married during the summer of 1816, Miss Tamor Massie, and to them were born eleven children, of whom George W. is the seventh. While he was a small boy his father removed to Cooper County, Missouri, thence to Johnson County, and finally to Colorado in 1859. Returning from that state Mr. B. stopped at Platte City, and until about the year 1865 was engaged in car building. In 1861 he was married to Miss Iona Buck, who subsequently died, leaving one child, Mary Iona. His second marriage occurred in 1869 to Miss Mary M. Nolan, and by this union there are two children now living: Sidney C. and Tamor E. She also died and Mr. B. was again married in 1880, the maiden name of his third wife being Malinda L. Duegan. They have one child, Lexey May. He is the owner of 160 acres of excellent land in section 5, and also a farm of eighty acres on section 6, of this township. His residence is situated on an elevation commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. Mr. Brazzill is a member of Long Ridge Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BEACH, William C.
William C. Beach, section 5, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, November 8, 1827, his parents being Daniel and Lorana Beach nee Sackett, both natives of Connecticut. The former, born in 1785, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father was killed in the Revolutionary war, eight balls having been shot through him. Daniel Beach died May 21, 1862. William C., the youngest of a family of seven children, grew to manhood in his native county on a farm, receiving a good common school education, supplemented with two years' attendance at the Ashland Academy. After finishing his studies he engaged in farming. In 1852 he went to California and spent two years in the gold mines, and upon returning worked the home farm in connection with his brother. Before settling in Missouri in 1869 he traveled extensively in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas, but believing that Missouri had advantages over those states for farming and stock raising, he located where he now resides. Mr. Beach owns about 800 acres of land, all under fence and mostly with good hedge of which he has over twelve miles, and the farm is all in cultivation and pasture. He was married in Ashland County, Ohio, December 15, 1868, to Miss Marietta Long, a native of Pennsylvania, but reared and educated in Ohio, and a daughter of Abram P. Long. They have a family of four children: Emma C., Daniel B., Maud L. and Ettie L. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BELL, William E.
William E. Bell, M.D., was born in Polk County, Missouri, in 1847, and is the son of Robert H. Bell, M. D., a native of Lexington, Kentucky, born in 1819. He studied medicine in Lexington, and graduated at the Transylvania college in that city. Coming to Missouri, he settled in Polk County, practicing there and in Benton County for fifteen years, and then removed to Pettis County, where he is now a prominent physician. William's mother was formerly Sarah M. Ferguson, a Kentuckian by birth. He was the oldest of five children. While young, he fitted himself for the practice of medicine, studying with his father as percepter. He received a good academic education, and after a thorough preparation he practiced in Polk County two years, and for two years in Benton and Hickory Counties. He attended two full courses of lectures at the medical college in St. Louis, where he was graduated in 1879. In September, 1880, he came to Osceola, where he secured a good practice. He is making the diseases of women and children a specialty, and when not otherwise engaged, his time is taken up in the investigation of diseases, and keeping up with the new complications and their remedies. Few men of his age have made a more enviable reputation than Dr. Bell. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BISHOP, Thomas V.
Thomas V. Bishop, farmer, section 35, the son of James and Rachael (Van Winkle) Bishop, natives of New Jersey, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1820. He was reared on his farm in his native county, and in 1850 he moved to Mercer County, Illinois, and in 1868 came to St. Clair County, Missouri. He has followed farming during life, and now has a farm of eighty-four acres. January 25, 1844, Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Gallop, of New York. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living: Mary M., Martha A., Ruby S., Martin H., Julia L., James R., Elizabeth A. and Lee J. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christian Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOLLINGER, Henry G.
Henry G. Bollinger was born March 26, 1836, in Camden County, Missouri, and was the son of Henry and Lucy J. Bollinger, nee Evans, the former a native of North Carolina, born in 1788, and the latter born May 2, 1800, in East Tennessee. They were married in 1821 and were the parents of eight children, all now deceased except Henry and Julia A., born February 16, 1839, wife of James B. Slavens, of Camden County, Missouri. In 1830, the family leaving Tennessee, moved to Camden County, Missouri, Mr. B. remaining there until his death, April 7, 1845, his widow dying October 3, 1861. Henry G. Bollinger married Miss Mary E. Eccleston, of the same county as himself, and to them were born eleven children, six of whom are living: Lucy J., born April 30, 1864; William A., born January 15, 1867; Julia M., born October 3, 1871; Mary A., born February 19, 1880; John Grant and Eleanor V., twins, born March 28, 1883. In March, 1880, Mr. Bollinger settled in this township and purchased 144 acres of land on section 6, having come from Camden County, where he had held the office of sheriff and collector for four years. He was also county judge there for a term of four years. During the war he held a commission as captain. He is very unassuming in his manner, but is a most successful farmer. Politically, he is a Republican. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, Wright's Creek. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOOTH, Robert L.
Robert L. Booth, of the firm of Sutmiller & Co., dealers in hardware, etc., was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 13, 1847. When nine years of age he removed with his family to Green County, Wisconsin, where he was brought up and educated. When eighteen years of age he began working at the tinners' trade at Monroe, Wisconsin, and was so occupied till August, 1869, when he went to Ottawa, Kansas. Three months later he located in Decatur, Illinois, and after remaining there six weeks he came to Appleton City and entered the employ of Luchinger & Streiff, with whom he continued till 1875. Then he became a partner in the firm of Butler & Booth, hardware dealers, this relation existing till October, 1876, when, with his present partner, he engaged in the hardware trade at Schell City, Missouri, in April, 1877. They carried on business there until removing their stock to Appleton City in 1880. Mr. Booth was married September 1, 1872, to Miss Maria J. Belt, of Missouri. They have one child, Henley C. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W. fraternities. He also belongs to the Christian Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOOTS, Martin S.
Martin S. Boots, section 24, a substantial farmer and stock feeder of this county was born in Randolph County, Indiana, January 31, 1841, being the son of Martin and Susanna (Shoemaker) Boots, both natives of Virginia. The former, a blacksmith by trade, removed to Missouri in 1853, and located in St. Clair County. Martin S. spent his youth on a farm in the county, and in the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service under General Rice, and served six months in the mounted infantry, when he was discharged. He re-enlisted in July, 1862, in the Union army, in Company H., Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served till discharged in the spring of 1865. He was taken prisoner at Corinth,. July 7, 1863, and held as such for eight months and exchanged. While in the Confederate service he participated in the fights of Carthage, Springfield and Lexington, Missouri, and others. After the close of the war he returned to Iowa, where he spent one season, and in the fall of 1865, he again came to St. Clair County, where he has since been engaged in farming and the raising and feeding of stock. He has 729 acres of land mostly fenced, divided into three farms, upon which are three residences. He handles about 140 head of cattle annually, and the past season fed five carloads of cattle and one of hogs. He is one of the most successful citizens in this vicinity. Mr. Boots was married in the winter of 1861, to Miss Sarah Ann Lewellen, a daughter of Felix Lewellen. She is a native of Indiana, but was reared and educated in St. Clair County. They have a family of six children: Mary, Julia, Margaret, Marion F., Ollie and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Boots are members of the M. E. Church, South. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOTHWELL, S. H.
S. H. Bothwell, stock dealer, section 22, is a native of Vinton County, Ohio, and was born on October 29, 1854, his parents being A. W. and Julia E. (Potter) Bothwell, the former of Ohio and the latter originally from Pennsylvania. When S. H. was ten years of age the family removed to Clay County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He received the advantages of the common schools of Illinois, after which he attended the normal school of Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Bothwell has ever followed farming and dealing in stock during life. In the spring of 1880 he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity. He was married February 27, 1878, to Miss Bell West, of Clay County, Illinois. She was born June 22, 1857, her father, Joseph West, having been born in Pennsylvania. Her mother, formerly Mary Cameron, was also a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Jessie.
-- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOWDEN, Dr. Charles P.
Dr. Bowden was killed in the tornado that passed through St. Clair County April 19, 1916. He and E. F. Hirni were returning from the home of a patient, Mrs. Charles Scherick, who had just passed away. They noticed theapproaching storm and thought they would get beyond its path, but had to turn in at the Henry Layher farm. They drove into the barn, followed by Oscar Underwood. The storm became worse, so they started for the house. The air was full of flying debris and something evidently struck Dr. Bowden a severe blow on the side of the head, rendering him unconscious, and from which injury he died at 5:15 the next morning. Mrs. Bowden was taken to Rockville, arriving a short time before his death. His body was brought to Appleton City on the 3:45 train that afternoon. Mrs. Laurinda Jane Bowden died in 1951 and they are buried in Appleton City Cemetery. -- Appleton City Centennial 1870-1970

 
BOWLES, Ralph C.
Ralph C. Bowles, county surveyor, was born April 30, 1827, in the southern part of Maine. His father, John C. Bowles, was born January 1, 1800, and received an academic education. He early united with the Baptist Church and about the year 1820 commenced preaching. His ministerial duties calling him into New York state, he there met Miss Phoebe Wilson, to whom he was married September 4, 1825. She was a daughter of Captain Wilson, of revolutionary fame, a well known man who died at the Battle of Bridgewater, while in defense of his country. During the next year Mr. Bowles was actively engaged in preaching the gospel and in the following spring his son, Ralph, was born. It was the father's wish that his boy should become a minister and with that end in view Ralph was placed first in the public schools and later in Springdale Academy, and having during the meantime gone to Michigan, he entered the State University at Ann Arbor. Tiring of so close application he left that institution, but subsequently again became a student therein, this time for the purpose of qualifying himself for a civil engineer and land survevor. By great perseverance and hard study he made rapid progress, graduating in June, 1847, first in his class though but a little over twenty years old. He soon entered the employ of the government as a surveyor, and under this engagement visited Green Bay, Forts Sullivan and Mankato, and other points on the Upper Mississippi. He continued this calling until the year 1859 then locating in this county. In 1860 Mr. B. was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Brashears, widow of Waymack Brashears, and daughter of Gilbert Deer. To them have been born five children: John C., Anna F., Jessie A., Ervin T. and R. E. During the war Mr. Bowles enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Missouri Volunteers, Colonel McClurg commanding, and was soon transferred to the position of topographical engineer. In 1872 he was nominated by his party and elected to the position of county surveyor. Politically he is a Democrat. He resides on section 18. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BOYD, John F.
Mt. Pleasant Township - John F. Boyd is of the firm of Wyatt & Boyd, a lumber establishment of eight years standing, they having a yard at Butler, Appleton City and Rich Hill. They started the first lumber business in Rich Hill when the city was in its infancy. At each of the points named they have an extensive stock connected with their line of trade, and are having an immense patronage in Bates, St. Clair, Hickory and Cedar Counties. They also have at Butler one of the finest planing mills in Southwest Missouri. John F. Boyd, a son of John D. and Carrie boyd, natives of Harrison County, Ohio, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 10, 1846. In 1856 his parents moved to McLean County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of the vicinity where he resided, engaging in farming till 1864, when he accepted a position as clerk in the mercantile business at Centralia, Illinois. This he continued till 1870, when he came to Butler, where he was interested in different branches of business till he embarked in his present occupation. Mr. Boyd was married November 13, 1872, to Miss Mary Cullar, a native of Virginia. They have three children: Cora C., Eddie E. and Lee S. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRADLEY, O.D.
O.D. Bradley was born in Lincoln county, Mo., Feb. 12, 1873, and graduated from St. Louis Law School in June, 1893, and was admitted to the bar in March 1894, in Lincoln county in which locality he continued to practice until June 1899, when he removed to Appleton City and hung out his shingle. During his residence here Mr. Bradley has won a host of friends among these people and those with whom he has had business dealings. His office is in the second story of the Hodkins' building. As an attorney Mr. Bradley is building up a good practice. -- Appleton City Journal, 28 March 1901

BRAMNAN, Samuel
Samuel Bramnan, blacksmith at Chalk Level, was born in Tennessee July 25, 1850, his parents being Samuel and Phebe (Killian) Bramnan, natives of Tennessee. When our subject was an infant the family moved to Arkansas, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. He worked in his father's blacksmith shop until the death of the senior Bramnan, which occurred in 1852. Since that time Samuel has followed his trade in Arkansas, Texas, Iowa and Missouri. In 1878 he moved to Chalk Level, where he now has a good shop and is doing a fair business. Mr. B. was married December 29, 1879, to Miss Hannah White, of Illinois. They have two children, Claud Lee and Sterling. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BRANSON, Francis M.
Francis M. Branson, farmer, was born in 1844, and was the eldest of a family of nine children born to John and Julia Ann (Davenport) Branson. Francis M. was married in 1863 to Miss Nancy Hughes. They had six children: John, George W., Francis M., Martin, Anna, Julia Ann and William A. In 1877 Mr. B. was married a second time to Miss Lizzie Woody. They have one child, Sidney Margaret. He first came to St. Clair County, Missouri, in 1867, but has also been leading rather an unsettled life, having lived in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky during this time. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BROWN, George P.
George P. Brown, farmer and stock dealer and proprietor of Hoffman's Ferry, was born in Carroll County, Maryland, January 3, 1854. His parents were Lewis H. and Susan (Hudson) Brown, natives of Maryland. George was the youngest of a family of six children. In 1868 he came to Missouri, but the next year returned to Maryland, where he was employed in a commission house for two years and in the grocery business for one year. In 1872 he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. In March of the same year he went to Dallas, Texas, where he was interested in the queensware business one year. He was then employed as bookkeeper in a wholesale drug house for four years. In 1877 he returned to St. Clair County, Missouri, and in March of 1878 embarked in general merchandising at Roscoe. In January, 1879, he sold out and commenced dealing in stock. In June, 1881, he became proprietor of Hoffman's Ferry, one of the best on the river. He owns a farm of ninety-two acres, well improved. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fraternity. January 18, 1882, he was married to Miss Lucy M. Baker, a native of St. Clair County, Missouri. They have one child, an infant. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BROWN, George W.
George W. Brown was born April 21, 1853, in Jackson Township, St. Clair County, Missouri. His father, Benjamin Brown, a farmer by occupation, was born July 31, 1819, in Kentucky, and was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Borland. They had ten children: George W.; John W., born December 16, 1854; Susan J. born December 11, 1856; Mary B. and Minerva (twins) born May 12, 1860, the latter died May 25, 1860; Myra, born July 29, 1862, died February 1, 1873; Benjamin, born May 20, 1866; James and Samuel (twins), born February 8, 1870; and Parker, born November 11, 1871. Mr. Benjamin Brown, Sr., died January 7, 1872, and his widow departed this life February 7, 1873. The subject of this sketch was married January 13, 1876, to Miss Margaret A. Green. By this union there are two children, a son and a daughter: Wilson, born April 20, 1877; and Florence, born December 27, 1879. Mr. Brown now owns 106 acres of excellent farming land, constituting a portion of his father's estate. He resides upon section 13. In his political preferences he is Democratic. Both himself and wife are identified with the Mt. Zion M. E. Church, South. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BROWN, Paris
Paris Brown, farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born in Washington County, Kentucky, August 12, 1838, and was the son of Wesley Brown, of Kentucky, who died in 1846. His mother, Elizabeth (Peters) Brown, with her family came to Washington County, Missouri, in 1848, and was there married to Thomas Calvird, who died in 1868, his widow dying in 1879. Of the first family of six children Paris was the third. By the second marriage there were five children. Paris was reared principally in this county, and with the habits of industry instilled in his youth he has been successful in securing a valuable farm of 480 acres, and he is recognized as one of St. Clair County's prominent farmers. Mr. Brown married Mary Jane Peebly July 11, 1855. She died June 10, 1862, leaving one child, James H. He afterward married Mary Ann Wilkerson. She died in 1868, and left one child, Mary Ida. Mr. B. married Mrs. Lucinda, widow of John Flemming, in 1870. They have five children: Wesley, Mary Ann, Silas H., and Charles and William, (twins). Politically he is a Republican. He belongs to the M. E. Church, South. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BROWNING, W. G.
W. G. Browning, druggist at Lowry City, was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, April 3, 1851, and is a son of C. G. and Susan (Barnett) Browning, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. They were among the early pioneers of this county. W. G. has been reared and educated in the county of his birth, making farming his occupation till 1876, when he began in the drug business at Appleton City. There he continued that business till 1878, when he located in Lowry City. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. February 22, 1876, Mr. Browning married Sarah E. McCrary, a native of Indiana. She died July 28, 1880. He was again married November 12, 1882, to Miss Flora King, of Illinois. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BROWNSBERGER, Dr. Robert H.
Robert H. Brownsberger, M.D. (1921-1989) was graduated in 1943 from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, MO, with a degree in pharmacy. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps in Pensacola, Florida from 1943 to 1946. He then enrolled at the University of Kansas. In 1952, he was graduated from Kansas Medical School and served his internship at the Menorah Medical Center. Dr. Brownsberger, wife Allyene (a registered nurse) and their family settled in Appleton City where he practiced medicine for many years. -- Appleton City Quasiquicentennial Book 1870-1995

BURCH, B. F.
B. F. Burch, farmer and stock dealer, section 4, is a native of Hardy County, Virginia, and was born July 4, 1833. His parents were Robert N. and Rebecca (Swisher) Burch, Virginians by birth. In 1842 this family moved to St. Clair County, Missouri, where B. F. has since resided. He has made farming and dealing in stock his occupation during life, and now owns a landed estate of over 1,000 acres. His home farm contains a fine orchard and is well improved. In 1850 he went to California, where he was engaged in mining till the spring of 1855. In August, 1856, Mr. Burch was married to Miss Martha A. Metcalf, originally from Virginia. They have eleven children: Emma, Lucy J., Missouri A., John T., James O., Mary E., Francis, Edna, Frances M. and Eddie. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BURCH, Oliver H. P.
Oliver H. P. Burch, farmer and stock raiser, section 19, was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, December 17, 1839, and has made this his home during life. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service in which he remained till the close of the war. March 10, 1869, Mr. B. was married to Miss Adeline McLain, a native of Tennessee. They have four children: Charles A., John P. Austin D., and Robert H. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BURCH, Thomas
Thomas Burch, of the firm of Metcalf and Burch, merchants, is a native of St. Clair County, Missouri, and was born January 13, 1861, being a son of Benjamin Burch, an old settler of this county, mention of whom is found elsewhere in this work. Thomas was reared on his father's farm and received his education from the schools of this county. In 1882 he became engaged in business with his present partner at Roscoe. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BURDETT, Samuel S.
Burdett, Samuel S., soldier, lawyer, congressman, was born Feb. 21, 1836, in England. In 1861 he entered the volunteer army as a private, and in 1864 was promoted to captain. He was a presidential elector in 1864 from Iowa; in 1865 emigrated to St. Clair County, Mo.; in 1866 was made circuit attorney for the seventh Judicial district; and was a delegate to the Chicago convention of 1868. He was elected a representative from Missouri to the forty-first congress; and in 1874 he was appointed commissioner of the general land office in Washington. -- Encyclopedia of American Biography

BURNS, John
John Burns, section 17, originally from Scotland, was born December 25, 1826. His father, James Burns, was a native of Banfshire, Scotland, and was a descendant of the family from which Robert Burns, the poet came. John's mother, formerly Isabella McKinzie, was also born in Scotland. They reared a family of ten children, of whom he was the youngest. James Burns died in 1833, and his widow's death occurred in 1834. John was thus left an orphan when in his ninth year. When but sixteen years of age he enlisted in the English army, and served three years and four months, during which time he was over a large portion of England, Ireland and his native country. After his service in the English army he returned to Scotland, and was engaged in tunnel minning till 1849, when he emigrated to America and located in DuPage County, Illinois, farming there till November, 1869. He then came to St. Clair County, Missouri, and settled on his present place which includes 214 acres of improved land. Mr. Burns was married December 7, 1848, to Miss Margaret Nesbit, also a native of Scotland. They have seven children: James, Robert, Jennie, William, Thomas, Carrie and Daisy. Three are deceased: Mary, Isabelle, and an infant. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BURNS, John
Mr. and Mrs. Burns are natives of Scotland. Mr. Burns was born Dec. 25, 1826. Mrs. Burns' maiden name was Margaret Nesbit. They were united in marriage on December 7, 1849, at Manchline, Scotland, and in the same year came to America, locating in Du Page county, Ill., where they resided until 1869, when they followed the star of empire still farther westward and came to St. Clair county and settled on the farm which they still own, two miles south of Appleton City. They also own a nic home in the city in which they have resided during the past few years. -- Appleton City Journal, 28 March 1901

BUSKIRK, Abram
Abram Buskirk. Few men in this county are as prominently known in connection with the stock business and farming interests of this vicinity as the subject of this sketch. he is a native of Tompkins County, New York, and was born November 9, 1841. His parents, George and Anna (Brondyke) Buskirk, came originally from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The father died in 1849 and his mother died in 1811. Abram, left an orphan at the age of ten years, was subsequently reared in the family of Moses Barker of that county, till fifteen years old, when he went to Kendall County, Illinois, there working at farming for two years. In 1858 he took a trip to California, reaching that state in January, 1869, and was occupied in mining and logging till July, 1877. In November, 1877, he came to Henry County, Missouri, and in December, following, settled in St. Clair County on his present place. His landed estate consists of 1,000 acres of land, 220 of which are the home place and upon it he has one of the finest brick residences in the county. March 7, 1878, Mr. Buskirk was united in marriage with Miss Flora Moore, a native of New York. They have five children. Anna, Etta, Nellie, Ethel and Frank. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

BUTCHER, Joseph P.
Joseph P. Butcher, a prominent member of the Greenback party in St. Clair County and an influential citizen of this township, was born in Murray County, Tennessee, May 16, 1823. His father, Isaac Butcher, who was born in 1784 in Loudoun County, Virginia, embraced the faith of Alexander Campbell and became a minister in the Christian. Church. In 1806 he married Miss Rebecca Renfro, daughter of Peter Renfro, well known in the early history of Kentucky. To them were born thirteen children, of whom Joseph P. was the tenth in number. He remained in his native state until six years old, when (1829) he went to Illinois, making it his home until 1869. At that time he came to this county. While residing in Illinois he took a prospecting tour to California in 1851, and returned with most satisfactory success in one year. In 1853 Mr. Butcher was married to Miss Emeline Wood, of Macoupin County, Illinois, a daughter of Abraham Wood and granddaughter of Edman Wood. They have had seven children: Mary E., A. W., Clara E., Francis L., Charles F., (who died August 25, 1863) Cora B. and Francis H. These children are well educated and possess a natural fondness for study. Mr. B. is a powerful advocate of the Greenback doctrine and a most agreeable conversationalist, while his hospitality is exceeded by few. He has repeatedly been offered the position of judge and twice has been asked to represent his county in the state legislature. His early education was obtained through his own efforts at night by the light of the tallow candle, and he afterwards fitted himself for entrance into the medical fraternity and studied medicine. This he discontinued and engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. B. owns 280 acres of land in Coon Creek Valley, upon which he has a fine residence. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883
 

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